Strategic Services Group

Practice Focus

The lawyers within the Strategic Services Practice Group frequently act as outside general counsel for a number of public and private clients. In this capacity, lawyers provide advice on the preparation and negotiation of agreements of strategic and operational significance to the Board of Directors and executives. In preparing agreements for clients, lawyers translate the goals and objectives of clients into "plain English" agreements that can be understood by the involved parties and respected by the courts.

In the Strategic Services Practice Group, lawyers craft unique and dynamic documents that are specifically tailored to a particular event or transaction. For example, lawyers prepare and negotiate agreements among the owners of business enterprises, including corporate shareholders, members of limited liability companies, owners of other unincorporated entities, and partners of joint ventures. Although the majority of these agreements are commonly prepared at the beginning of the relationship, clients are assisted in creating documents that will endure the test of time and support a successful operation.

In other situations, members of the Strategic Services practice prepare operational documents that are relied upon by clients over the course of countless transactions. Although these documents can appear to be deceptively "routine," lawyers are cognizant of the fact that these documents may undergo the scrutiny of thousands of business partners and are careful to anticipate and avoid potential objections and pitfalls. Clients also rely on our skills and expertise when reviewing and negotiating operational agreements presented by their business partners.

In each circumstance, a transaction or document is reviewed with a discerning eye towards unforeseen legal issues. Regularly, members of the Strategic Services Practice Group will highlight issues of concern, consulting specialists in areas such as tax, international, employment, anti-trust, and franchise laws. This ensures that a client’s expectations with respect to the agreements will be met or exceeded. Lawyers also draft agreements in a calculated fashion to secure a strong position if disputes do arise, or circumstances change. This pro-active philosophy is solution-oriented and committed to finding, developing, and creating implementation strategies that preserve a client’s legal interests.

Practice Highlights

Advice to Board of Directors

• Attend routine meetings of board and shareholders

• Prepare and maintain corporate records

Agreements Among Owners

• Joint ventures (equity and non-equity)

• Shareholders’ agreements

• Operating agreements (for members of LLCs)

• Partnership agreements

• Redemption and tender offer agreements

Agreements with Business Partners

• Sale, lease, and other agreements governed by the Uniform  Commercial Code

• Confidentiality agreements

• Supply agreements

• Manufacturing agreements

• Employment agreements

• Distribution and representative agreements

Members of the Strategic Services Practice Group

Maiss, Lance